God Awaits You at the Door

That’s a quote from Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez. It seemed appropriate today, as I learn of yet another colleague gone too soon.

I’m nearly 58 years old, and it’s not unusual for my friends’ parents to pass away. Just this past week, the father of a high school friend died. I’ve attended plenty of wakes and funerals for men and women in their 80s and 90s. I try to prepare for the day that my father-in-law, now 84 and tethered to an oxygen tank, passes.

But when it’s a contemporary…well, it’s sobering. Difficult. Sometimes tragic. Steve never smoked a cigarette and died of lung cancer. Lucy’s husband killed her and then hanged himself. Danny had but three months from his cancer diagnosis to his death. Sue, Tom, Steve, Jack, Tim, Elaine, Kathy, Susan, Ellen, Sally, Lili. And now Jeff.

Working for Hope Hospice, I’m not immune to death. In the two years I’ve been there, I can’t tell you how many familiar names I’ve seen on paperwork. Death is inevitable, of course. We hope that it comes when we’re ready, but does it? Nothing is promised to you in this life…except that, one day, it will end. Rest in eternal peace, Jeff.

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Published by Martha Reynolds

I am the bestselling author of eight novels, including the Swiss Chocolate trilogy and VILLA DEL SOL, which won the 2018 Book Award in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England.
My newest novel, APRIL IN GALWAY, releases 29 November 2018.
View all posts by Martha Reynolds

This week, I happened to read the obituary of the father of one of my best high school friends. He was 89. I thought I would call her to offer my condolences and plan a time to get together and talk about old times and new happenings. She’d moved and we’d lost touch over the years. At the end of his obituary were the words “He was pre-deceased by his daughter Cheryl…” my high school friend. There is never enough time, just this moment.

Yes, it was. Although I’m careful about keeping in touch with family and friends, I let this friendship lapse by not being more persistent. I keep thinking of the many high school adventures we got into together. Our double dates were always a hoot! It would have been nice to remember and laugh together, but now, that is no longer possible.
I’m sorry you’ve had your own sad experiences with the deaths of those you help at the Center. Such caring place. Thanks for your comment, Martha. And I am trying to follow your wise advice on cutting sugar from my diet. Clare

Martha – I have not been reading many posts lately. But this one caught my eye. I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of all these friends! My goodness! I am hoping that the reason you are hearing of all these deaths is because of your connection to Hope Hospice. Do you work at Hulitar Center on North Main? Paula

On Sun, Jun 26, 2016 at 3:54 PM, Martha Reynolds Writes wrote:

> Martha Reynolds posted: “That’s a quote from Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez. It > seemed appropriate today, as I learn of yet another colleague gone too > soon. I’m nearly 58 years old, and it’s not unusual for my friends’ parents > to pass away. Just this past week, the father of a hi” >